The Intellectual Property Law Section writing contest was established in 2004 to provide an opportunity for second- and third-year law students to express in writing their insight and knowledge in the areas of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets or trade dress. As a tangible incentive, the section established a set of cash awards for the winners.

The annual writing competition is open to all second and third year law students currently enrolled in one of the following Pennsylvania law schools: Drexel University, Duquesne University, Penn State Dickinson, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, Villanova University and Widener University.

Submissions must be the entrant’s original creation and may not have been published previously. A panel of qualified judges selects the winners based on content, quality and relevancy.

First place – Eliese (Liesel) Herzl-Betz, Villanova University Charles Widger School of LawClick here to view the article.

Second place – Chandel Boozer, Villanova University Charles Widger School of LawClick here to view the article.

Third place – Ross Kirchgasser, Drexel University, Kline School of LawClick here to view the article.

Honorable mention - P. Michael Jones, Duquesne University School of LawClick here to view the article.

2016 contest winners:

First place – Hannah L. Bedard from University of Pennsylvania Law School Click here to view Bedard's article.

Second place – Jessica Watkins from Villanova University Charles Widger School of LawClick here to view Watkins's article.

Third place – Jessica L. Santiago from Widener University Commonwealth Law SchoolClick here to view Santiago's article.

Honorable mention - Christie L. Larochelle from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law Click here to view Larochelle's article.

2015 contest winners:

First place – Catherine Contino from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view Contino's article.

Second place – Courtney Grochowski from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view Grochowski's article.

Third place – Emma Snyder from The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State UniversityClick here to view Snyder's article.

Honorable Mention
Kevin Shaw from Duquesne University School of LawClick here to view Shaw's article.

Brett A. Zakeosian from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view Zakeosian's article.

2014 contest winners:

First place - Leah M. Octavio from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view Octavio’s article.

Second place - Michael Haviland from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view Haviland’s article.

Third place - Kevin Shaw from Duquesne University School of LawClick here to view Shaw’s article.

2013 contest winners:

First Place - Eric Donato from Duquesne University School of LawClick here to view Donato's article.
Second Place - Dan McManus from Villanova University School of LawClick here to view McManus' article. Click here to view his abstract.

2012 contest winners:

First Place - Daniel J. Ritterbeck from Widener University Click here to view Ritterbeck's article.
Second Place - Alan Leung from University of Pittsburgh School of Law Click here to view Leung's article.

2011 contest winners:

First Place - Peter Richman from Temple University
Second Place - Anthony Czuchnicki from Widener University

2009 contest winners:

First Place - Daniel Bell-Jacobs from Widener University
Second Place - Kelly Lombardo from Widener University

2008 contest winners:

First Place - Brian Gregg from Widener University
Second Place (tie) - Amber Carmo and Cory Leshner from Widener University

2007 contest winners:

First Place - Kristina Caggiano from University of Pennsylvania
Second Place - Eugene Chiu from University of Pennsylvania
Third Place - Lance Yang from University of Pennsylvania

2006 contest winners:

First Place – Frank Lipsius from Temple University
Second Place – Eric Vath from Temple University
Third Place – Eliza Hall from the University of Pittsburgh

2005 contest winners (click on the winners’ names to read their entries):